Pakistan v Australia 1st T20 Tips, Predictions and Match Preview - Australia to take early lead

After edging out the visitors 1-0 in the two-match Test series preceding the white ball contests, Pakistan will look to continue their dominance over Australia in their most favoured format – T20s.

Ranked number one in the ICC World T20 rankings, Pakistan will host Australia in the 1st T20I in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

With the visitors set to welcome some strong T20 names to their line-up, we expect them to be competitive and surprise the hosts.

Match Preview

Pakistan did get frustrated with Australia’s fight in the 1st Test, before sealing the series with a comprehensive 373-run win in the 2nd Test. Although this is a different format and the hosts have a remarkably different unit, the confidence stemming from that win should continue to bolster the ‘Men in Green’.

The last time Pakistan played T20s was in the T20 Tri-Series in Zimbabwe that they won comprehensively, beating both Australia and Zimbabwe. It was their opener Fakhar Zaman who scored 278 runs at a SR of 157.06 that led the charge for Pakistan, while leg-spinner Shadab Khan topped the bowling charts with five scalps.

Australia will take heart from the fact that they have a completely different T20 unit that has settled into its groove with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over UAE on Monday. D’Arcy Short’s 68* off 53 balls was enough to guide the Kangaroos to an easy win.

Fast bowlers Nathan Coulter-Mile and Billy Stanlake returned figures of 2/20 and showed how difficult they can be, even in the spin conditions of UAE. Captain Aaron Finch remains their most-experienced batsman, but in Short they have a batsman who has 445 runs and four 50+ scores in just 11 T20Is.

Australia’s bowling arsenal also boasts of the T20 magician Andrew Tye, who is one of the best in the business and is likely to lead the attack. With hard-hitting names like Glenn Maxwell, Chris Lynn, Ben McDermott and Alex Carey in their ranks, the visitors look strong to spring a surprise.

Match Odds

History & Statistics

Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman has two 50+ scores in three T20Is against Australia.

Australia have won nine of their last 12 T20Is.

Australia have won three of their last five T20Is.

Key Players

After gaining prominence in the Big Bash as a strong hitter at the top of the order, Short has come of age with some matured performances for Australia. He has already shown an inclination to guide the innings for Australia and will be vital in an array of attacking stars.

Having already shown his value on Test debut with innings of 94 & 66, Fakhar Zaman will look to make it count in the format that is best suited to his style. Another strong performance from him will extend the goodwill around his current form.

Tips

Back Australia to win the match at odds of $2.00 (Neds).

Back Australia to score the most match sixes at odds of $1.65 (BetEasy).

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